FAMOUS ACTRESS’S DEBTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17218, 8 December 1923, Page 10 (Supplement)

FAMOUS ACTRESS’S DEBTS.

WHY THEY WERE NOT PAID. Aliss Alario Dressier, the famous American low comedienne, who has returned to England after an absence of fourteen years, intends to remain until she has paid every penny of her debts (says a London paper).__ She has deposited £IOOO with the Actors’ Association as a guarantee of good faith. Aliss Dressier subsequently appeared at the Alhambra. The story of her last appearance, or, rather, her failure to appear, in “ Philopoma ” at the Aldwych Theatre, London, in Alarch, 1909, was told by a member of her old cast. “ Our contracts were for twelve weeks,” lie said. “We received our salaries for the first week. One night, about the middle of the second week, we were waiting for the curtain to rise when it was discovered "that Marie Dressier was not in the theatre “ A messenger was sent to her house. The audience became restive. After about three-quarters of an hour, which seemed like a lifetime, the mesenger returned to say that Aliss Dressier and her husband. Air Dalton, had sailed for America that morning. AT ore than forty-five actors and actresses were left stranded. Aliss Dressier, who is at the Ritz Hotel, London, when interviewed said: “Although it may sound odd, 1 knew nothing of these debts until I arrived in England.. Directly T heard of it, T cabled to the United States to sell out such securities as I have, and I have deposited £IOOO with the Actors’ Association. I mean to stay here until every penny is paid.” When asked liow it was she knew nothing of those obligations, Aliss Dressier replied, “ When I realised that “ Philopcena ” was a hopeless failure I became a nervous wreck and broke down comnltely. The doctors advised i an immediate operation.”